JOHN Sutton is racing the clock to be fit to take on the Bulldogs on Thursday night — and with only two games of the regular season remaining the returning skipper’s mere presence will mount more pressure on halfback Adam Reynolds to keep his spot in the starting team.

Sutton had his first field session on Monday since injuring his knee in Souths’ round 20 win over the Raiders in Canberra — and while he didn’t train with the team Sutton has made it known he wants to play.

Coach Michael Maguire is unlikely to name Sutton when he announces his team on Tuesday but he will be given until Wednesday to prove his fitness, while Reynolds was also cleared of a hamstring injury on Monday.

If Sutton is good to go, the question will be where Maguire slots him into the team given the masterclass Johnathan Thurston handed Reynolds and Luke Keary in Saturday night’s loss to the Cowboys.

While Reynolds has taken his game to another level during Sutton’s absence, his performance against the Cowboys wasn’t one of his best before he injured his hamstring — and it has again raised debate as to what halves combination will serve Souths best heading into the finals given the X-factor Keary brings to the team.

Sam Burgess conceded Reynolds would have been “disappointed” with his kicking game.

While Thurston forced four goal line drop outs, Reynolds came up with none, with Souths’ only two repeat sets from kicks coming from Dylan Walker and Alex Johnston.

Adam Reynolds had to go off with a hamstring twinge against the Cowboys. Pic: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

“I think he is playing great footy don’t get me wrong,” Burgess said.

“He will probably be disappointed with a few things on the weekend, a few kicks, kick finishes.

“But he has a good attitude for a young kid. He will work hard this week and look after his injury and make sure he is right to go on Thursday.”

Souths completed 31 of 38 sets (81.6 per cent) against the Cowboys, which was better than each of their previous two games.

But North Queensland ran for 1556 metres, the most Souths have conceded all season.

The Cowboys completed 34 of 39 sets (87.2 per cent) including 19 of 19 in the first half.

John Sutton is an inspirational figure for the Rabbitohs. Pic: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia

While Souths had one controversial try disallowed and the Cowboys had another dubious one awarded after a clear obstruction, Burgess said there was no denying the Rabbitohs were beaten fair and square.

Asked what Souths would take out of the loss, Burgess said: “There are things we can work on. Some of our kick finishes weren’t great. It is a big game changer when you give seven plays away instead of six.

“And they just controlled possession. I thought JT was very good, he took control of the game.

“I wouldn’t say he gave our halves a lesson. I think he just showed how good he is. He single handedly controlled that game.

“Their forwards probably got over the top of ours and it makes it easy for JT.

John Sutton will soon return, but in the forwards otr the halves? Pic: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia

“If we are not getting on top of their forwards it makes it harder for Luke and Adam.

“It is a vicious circle. Your halves need your forwards going forward and I thought they controlled us pretty well.”

Reynolds was hooked in the game against Parramatta in round 19, the week before Sutton was injured, but apart from Saturday night his recent form has been terrific.

But with all three halves now back in the frame Maguire has a big decision ahead of him.

With Ben Te’o still suspended, the likely option will be to bring Sutton back at lock but given his time out he could struggle with the extra workload in the forwards.

Asked where he felt Sutton would be best placed if he does return against the Bulldogs, Greg Inglis said: “It is a good headache to have.

“Sutto is a big boy and he runs the ball hard and he has the skills.

“Either way it is going to be a good headache to have. As long as he is in the side I don’t care where he plays.”

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